Ahlus Sunnah During Fitnah (Must Read)

This is an excellent post about the trials of vigilantism and why it is nothing but fitnah and brings more trouble to everyone. Hey, Samir Khan, you need to read this! It is a thorn in the necks of the Khawarij

Sh. Shuraim

Ramadan is coming. How many of us have cried while reciting Fatiha?

Here is another of the Shaykh while reciting sura taubah

In defense of Debbie’s honor

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? “It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander” (24:16)

Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet said, “He who defends the honour of his (Muslim) brother, Allah will secure his face against the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

“I asked the Messenger of Allah : Who is the best Muslim? The Messenger of Allah replied, “He is the one from whom Muslims are safe from the evil of his tongue and hands.” (Muslim)

In light of the above, I am posting this article in the sister’s defense for all to read. Please take time to read it and see how she has been slandered by people like this

Others in the sister’s defense: Muslim Matters, Abu Eesa, Tariq Nelson, Sunnisister, Umar Lee,  Rachel’s Tavern

Relaxation is in Paradise

Ibn Al Juwziee said:

Whoever does not read the stories of the Salaf and the path that they tread, he can never tread that path.  It is befitting for a person to know and understand that the nature of an individual (character) is a thief.  If a person leaves his nature with the people of his time, his nature will steal from theirs and he will become similar to them.  But if he reads into the lives of the Salaf his nature will join theirs and he will learn from their character….(Telblees Iblees)

The following are just a few examples from the past and present day scholars informing of their love of knowledge and their preference of it over relaxation.

First:

It was reported by Ibn al Qayyim in his book: “Rawdatul Muhibeen”, I was informed by my Sheikh (Ibn Taymiyyah), he said: When I became sick the doctor said to me: Verily your research and Islamic lecturing increases your illness.  I (Ibn Taymiyyah) replied: I can not stop, and I will debate you in your knowledge! If a person becomes happy and joyful doesn’t this strengthen their soul or spirit, and as a result wards off illness? The doctor responded: Of course.  So I (Ibn Taymiyyah) said: Verily my spirit is pleased with knowledge and it strengthens my nature and due to that I find relaxation.  The doctor responded: This is something our knowledge doesn’t apply to.

Second:

It was reported by Sheikh Muhammed bin Hadee to some of his visitors that he was told a story by Ahmed Al Hakimy, the brother of Sheikh Hafith Al Hakimy:

One year while Sheikh Hafith Al Hakimy was on Hajj or during Ramadan in Mecca, he was looking for the book titled: “Creation of The Servant’s Action” by Imam Al Bukhari. While in Mecca he was informed that someone had arrived from India with a copy of the book and that he had given it to the library there in The Haram.  Sheikh Hafith visited the library and requested to borrow the book under the condition that he would not leave the Haram and that he would return the book the following day after the rising of the sun.  He took the book and requested for someone to bring him paper and a pen.  He sat and made his own copy of the book.  Then he continued to memorize the book until Fajr. After Fajr he rested for a short period of time and then woke up.  Upon waking, he returned the original book to the library and said: Here is your original, and here is an extra copy (the copy he himself wrote) and the book is in my head (memorized).

May Allah grant Sheikh Hafith Al Hakimy ease in his grave and raise him with the righteous ameen.

It was also mentioned by Sheikh Ahmed An Najmee the following:

We (as young boys) were instructed by our teacher Sheikh Abdullah Al Qara’wee to memorize the Quran in preparation for the month of Ramadan.  We would memorize during the day, and toward the end of the day we gathered to test one another in memorization. I (Ahmed An Najmee) memorized a hizb for that day.  Surprisingly, Hafith Al Hakimy memorized a full Juz! We continued for a full month, and everyday Hafith would memorize a full Juz completing the entire Quran in one month!

Third:

It was reported by Sheikh Abdul Kareem Al Kudair:

I was informed by one of the widows of Sheikh Abdul Azeez bin Baz that one day he returned home from the hospital, and upon entering the house she noticed that he was very tired and exhausted.  After falling to sleep, she changed his alarm clock from the normal set time for night prayer, to a later time.  The Sheikh woke at his normal time without the clock and inquired why the clock did not work.   His wife informed that she had changed the time in order for him to relax. He admonished her and said: Relaxation is in Paradise!

Is your masjid ‘Muslim friendly’?

Is Your Masjid Muslim-Friendly?
By Altaf Husain

You have heard of user-friendly. This is usually the phrase used to describe technology that makes the user feel at home, helping him or her to navigate and make efficient and effective use of technology. So what is a Muslim-friendly masjid? Well, I hope and pray that you are ready for a frank discussion about our masjids (mosques) in the U.S. If you are not, then you are in for a surprise. If you are…then you will at least accept what I am saying as a depiction of our sad reality - whether you agree with me or not.

I rarely feel welcome at a masjid.
People don’t treat me poorly. No, that’s not what I mean. People don’t stand at the door telling me I am not welcome. No, that’s not what I mean either. So why don’t I feel welcome at the masjid? Because, for the most part, the masjid in the U.S. is not a vibrant, lively place where I would love to spend my time. Rather, it is this physical structure, too often held hostage by board members who mistakenly treat it as a personal project (in the case of policies or renovations) , as a propaganda machine (in the case of a movement), or worse yet, as their personal property (in case they have donated large amounts of money or resources).

So, who suffers when this happens? The masjid-goers of course. When a masjid board or executive committee is too involved in administrative and bureaucratic processes, the main mission of the masjid gets neglected, if not completely ignored. Take for example various segments of our masjid-going population. How welcome do they feel at the masjid?

New Muslim-friendly Masjid
Perhaps the people who feel the least welcome at our masjids are those who are new entrants into Islam. After undertaking a difficult spiritual journey, unfortunately, most new Muslims cannot seek solace in our masjids. For most new Muslims, their only family is really those members of the masjid. They go there seeking Allah’s company, knowledge, and new brothers and sisters in Islam. They have usually been attracted by the system of Islam that makes the religion a way of life. What they find is anything but systematic. Rather than being encouraged to learn and improve, they are often met with harsh, intolerant, dogmatic and cultural interpretations of Islam that they could do without.

So, who is to attend to the needs of the new Muslims? Which masjid has a comprehensive support program for them? Who worries about them on ‘Eid day?
Too often, we have time to criticize and point out the mistakes of a new Muslim.
Very rarely does a masjid’s congregation take time to appreciate, nurture, and bond with our new Muslim brothers and sisters!

Senior Muslim-friendly Masjid
Imagine growing old as a Muslim in the U.S.! The seniors in our community have either been in the U.S. for decades or are recent arrivals. Those who have just arrived as voluntary immigrants or refugees will need special attention if they cannot speak English. Those who have been here for some time can at least speak some English and make their way around the masjid. They can read the newsletter, if there is one; they can read flyers announcing future events; they can even listen to the lectures or presentations in English and get some benefit. But, do they really feel welcome? I doubt it. I know of very few who do. In fact, I am struggling to think of even two masjids in the U.S. that have programs and activities devoted to the seniors in our community. After all that they have contributed towards the development of our communities here in the U.S., you would think that a masjid would create a forum for the seniors to meet and pass their time, learn, or to teach the younger adults!

I worked with non-Muslim senior citizens for two years. One of my duties was to develop and implement programs and activities for the seniors. They could not have been happier that someone cared for their enrichment and welfare! The masjids should start devoting some of the same energy to the senior Muslims in our community.

Young Muslim-friendly Masjid
A story often repeated within the community concerns a teenage boy who barely used to go to the Masjid. One day, he went… wearing a gold chain. He was told by an uncle in the masjid that he cannot pray while wearing the gold chain. So…the boy obediently took off the chain. He prayed. And as he got up to leave, he put the chain back on. The uncle got upset and yanked the chain saying, “I told you not to put that chain on.” He scratched the boy’s neck in the process. The boy was obviously confused. He had only been told that he could not pray while wearing the gold chain. He had complied. And now this uncle was upset and had hurt his neck. This sort of misguidance and subsequent confusion is all too familiar a phenomenon.

Most masjids claim to have a youth program. A young single brother or a newly married young man is recruited and told to manage the youth program. This youth coordinator most likely has never taken classes or even learned about adolescence in a formal manner. And yet, he will shoulder the burden of managing the youth. What does he get in return? Little or no money is set aside to pay the coordinator. In most cases, it is a volunteer position, with board-mandated promises of great rewards in the hereafter. To date, no national organization has a full-time, paid, youth coordinator. A few local organizations have such a paid-position but the person in that position is most likely untrained to deal with youth. Even when this person plans future events, it is rarely in consultation with the youth. And when the youth express their dissatisfaction, they are often made to feel guilty, and told that they are ungrateful and do not appreciate the blessings Allah (swt) has given them.

The result?
Youth scarcely feel welcome
They are basically told that they should be seen and not heard. Their talent, enthusiasm, and raw energies are not appreciated in the masjid; nor does the masjid recruit them to make meaningful contributions. It amuses me, sometimes, when young men with the most beautiful voices for adhan (call to prayer) are kept muffled, hidden, and hushed up while a board member or a close friend or relative of a board member struggles, with neither a good voice nor a good style, to give the adhan. If the adhan is supposed to invite or call people, it might make more sense to train our youth to use their beautiful voices for a meaningful purpose!

These days so many youth are excelling in public schools; giving speeches; making daw’ah (invitations to Islam); being recognized for their talents; and being appreciated for who they are. Unfortunately, when they enter our masjids, they become sullen, morose creatures, who would rather be anywhere else but the masjid. They are not to blame. It is not their fault that we have built and continue to perpetuate the existence of non-Muslim friendly masjids.

Newlywed couples and Families
We also need to make the masjid much more inviting for young, newlywed couples as well as couples with very young children. Often, newlywed couples are sought out when there is work to be done. It is a good idea to recruit them and help them make good use of their free time. However, we tend to overload them to the extent that they end up feeling burnt-out. Some even stay away from the masjid for fear of being nominated for endless tasks with very little appreciation. Some end up having marital difficulties because either the husband or the wife is being tasked with more demands than they can bear! We need to change this culture so that newlywed couples feel more at home in the masjid. We should have programs that address the needs of some of these young couples. Premarital counseling, and counseling in general, are very much needed but scarcely available in most masjids.

Contrary to popular belief, counselors do need to be trained; being knowledgeable in Qur’an and Hadith (teachings and sayings of the Prophet) does not in itself qualify an Imam to be a counselor. Perhaps masjids could arrange for retreats for these young couples so that the young men and women can improve in their roles as husbands, wives, and daughters and sons-in-law, and become contributing members of the community.

It is very difficult to imagine that despite the great emphasis in Islam on family relations, how little time and energy is spent on creating and sustaining programs that address family issues of daily living.

If the families cannot learn how to address issues they are facing in the masjid, where else should they go? Why not introduce family camps? What about having more programs and activities that can facilitate better relations between the husband and wife and between parents and children?

It is quite commonplace nowadays to find single parent Muslim households. Whether we accept the reality that divorce is on the rise or not, we have to help these types of families in their daily struggles. A single Muslim mother trying to raise 2 or 3 children by herself should not have to bear the burden of providing for and educating her children alone. Some sort of mentoring program must be available so the boys and girls can be assigned young male and female mentors! Or consider a single Muslim man who has custody of his children; a similar mentoring program could truly benefit his children.

A Final Thought
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S. It is, or very soon will be, the second largest religion in the U.S. More Muslims should mean more masjids. But, more masjids that are not Muslim-friendly will only exacerbate the situation and not help us at all. Each of us has a responsibility to take an active role in the affairs of our masjid. We should become involved and commit our time, energy and finances to ensure that the communal masjid is not held hostage by a chosen few. The ideas in this article need to be examined and developed further. We should demand that whoever is elected to head the masjid works tirelessly to ensure that it becomes more Muslim-friendly for our new Muslims, seniors, teenagers, college students, newlyweds and families. This should be our collective goal. And we should settle for nothing less!

A response to Robert Spencer and others

Robert Spencer of Jihadwatch has argued that the terrorist/jihadees/takfeerees are acting according to Islam while other Muslims are just either ignoring these arguments or reinterpreting them. Essentially, one can not be a good practicing Muslim and not be a Jihadee.

Islam is not about just picking up the Quran and Hadith or even the writings of scholars of the past (in different circumstances) and making our own interpretation and acting upon it, but it is about listening to the scholars who can look at things in light of contemporary times and give us guidance on matters be it jihad or mundane issues.

While the Jihadees are claiming to follow Quran and Sunnah, they are following their own desires and not following the guidance of the scholars. For example, Mr Spencer argues that Muslims are allowed to be deceitful, and I will submit that the jihadists do use this argument, but this is not something that is from our deen as explained by our scholars. In light of this, I have posted the following article by Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Ubaykaan regarding this:

Those who travel to and enter non-Muslim lands under a pact of safety (Visas), how could they then prove treacherous and betray it!?

How can a Muslim not realise this?

Do you not see that if a man enters a non-Muslim country and is given a pact of safety (a visa), that this is a betrayal? Every betrayer of a trust will have a banner raised over him on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said: “This is the treachery of so and so” – by name. This would be publicized on the Day of Resurrection, because he is treacherous.

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Do not betray even those who betray you.”

Even the person who betrays you, you mustn’t betray him! But these people, how is it that they enter with a pact of safety (a visa) and then prove treacherous? This is not the way of the believers, nor is treachery a characteristic of the Prophet, may the Salaat and Salaam be upon him, or his companions, and we seek refuge with Allaah from that.

Taken from: http://www.madeenah.com/article.cfm?id=1241

Mr Spencer has also argued that Muslims are not refuting the jihadists on Islamic grounds, but I present to him this article that rejects the Muslim Brotherhood’s (and Syed Qutub’s) teachings and by extension the evil of the terror groups Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups of evil.

Further there are many admonitions against the actions of the jihadists to include the following:

Robbing and stealing

Advice to the Khawaarij

Devil’s Deception of Abdullah Faisal

Extremism in Takfeer

And he can find here a comprehensive Islamic refutation of the jihadists and these scholar’ debates have caused terrorists to leave behind their evil ways

We say to Mr Spencer and others that we reject the jihadists and mischief makers and their ideology a thousand times over and hate them more than you do. We are outraged and humiliated by their murderous and vile actions. Many scholars have even instructed us to work with and inform the Western authorities of the evil plots of these people should we become aware of them.

You say that you have not seen the refutations, we offer to you to read the links we have provided

Is Courage the same as anger?

Read this post, and then read what is below

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that the messenger of Allah (Muhammad ( ) Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him said :

“The man is not a good wrestler; the strong man is in fact the person who controls himself at the time of anger.” (Bukhari)

Hot headedness is not a quality that is from the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet

We should try to work on our faults and not justify them

Children and Lying

by talibiddeenjr

Dealing with children that lie a lot can be very frustrating. I can’t say that I have learned how to overcome it, but I’d thought I’d share a few thoughts on things that might be effective, Allahu ilm, in teaching children not to lie.

1.Teaching that Allah is Al Baseer (All Seeing), Al Sami’(All Hearing)

I had an informal Islamic Studies lesson the other day with my two five year olds. We talked about how Allah is Al Baseer, the All Seeing and that he sees everything that we do. I sort of paraphrased a hadith I remember about Allah being able to see a black ant on a black rock at night and how we could not see such a thing, but that Allah was able to see it. We talked about how Allah could see and hear everything we do and that there was no where we could go or nothing we could do that Allah couldn’t see us. So I told them that they should remember this. They might not get caught by Ummy by doing something bad, but Allah would always know.

2. How we react when children lie

One thing that I realize is that especially when my older children were younger, I use to rant and rave and scold them harshly when they lied (ok, I still do sometimes today) I think how we respond when a children lies can set the stage for the future, Allahu ilm. I think that by calmly discussing what occurred, discussing consequences or possible consequences and reminding children that Allah is not please with us when we lie, over time, could be more effective. Digressing——I have a behavior exercise that I made up (available on my site) that encourages children to look at what they did, how it could be harmful and look at ways to remedy the situation. Anyway, I think sometimes children will lie because they know they are going to “get it.” Perhaps if they knew they were not going to get yelled at, this might prevent some lying.

3. Monitoring Ourselves

Being good role models is also a way to model for our children. If they see us telling “little white lies” these are still lies and they take this in as well. It is important to remind our children (and ourselves) to try to stay out of potential situations where one may feel the need to lie or stretch the truth to get out of a jam. I do not know about the psychology of lying, but these are just a few things that I noticed seem to have an effect sometimes on whether or not a child may lie. (knowing that Allah is aware; how we react when they do lie and making sure our children don’t see us lying).

Multiplying the Reward

Easy Actions For Which Rewards Are Multiplied
Primary reference: “Al-A`mal al-Mudaa`afah” (Dar al-Watan, Riyadh)
By Sulaymaan ibn Saalih al-Kharaashi

How great will be the regret of those who waste the opportunity!

1. Preserving the ties of kinship: ” Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his age lengthened, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2. Performing many prayers in the two noble Harams (in Makkah and Madinah): “Prayer in this masjid of mine is superior to a thousand prayers elsewhere, except for Masjid al-Haram, and prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.” [Ahmad and ibn Majah]

3. Performing prayers in congregation. “Prayer in congregation is superior to praying individually twenty-seven times.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

4. Praying `Isha and Fajr in congregation: “He who prays Isha’ in Jama’ah [congregation] is as if he has prayed for half the night. As to him who (also) prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed all night.” [narrated by Malik and the wording is that of Muslim who also reported it]

5. Performing voluntary prayers at home. “Superiority of a man’s prayer in his home over his prayer when people see him is like the superiority of an obligatory prayer over a voluntary one.” [al-Bayhaqi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] “The most superior prayer of a person is in his home, except for obligatory prayers.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

6. Observing some manners of the day of Jumu`ah. “Whoever ghassala (washes his head) on the day of Jumuah, then comes in the earliest time and before the first khutbah, walks and doesn’t ride, stays near the Imam, listens and does not speak - for each step [he makes] he has actions of one year, the reward of fasting and standing in prayer in it.” [Ahl as-Sunan]

7. Salat ul-Ishraq. “Whoever prays al-ghadaa (i.e. al fajr) in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays two units of prayer, has a complete reward of Hajj and `Umrah [The Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, repeated 'complete' three times for emphasizing].” [at-Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani]

8. Attending lectures in the mosque. “Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani]

9. Performing `Umrah in the month of Ramadhan. “`Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to a Hajj with me.” [al-Bukhari]

10. Performing obligatory prayers in the Mosque. “Whoever leaves his home in a state of purity to perform obligatory prayer, his reward is like that of a pilgrim (while) in the state of ihram [i.e . he receives reward similar to that of spending time in ihram during Hajj].” [Abu Dawud, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani] So one should be in a state of purity when leaving one’s home, rather than the place for ablution within the mosque, except due to necessity.

11. Being from the people of the first row in congregational prayers. `Irbad bin Saariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, used to seek forgiveness for [the people of] the first row three times, and for [the people of the] second row once.” [an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]. “Allah and His Angels make salawat upon [the people of] the first row.” [Ahmad, with a good isnad]

12. Prayer in Masjid Qubaa’ in Madinah: “Whoever purifies himself in his house then comes to Masjid Qubaa’ and prays in it has the reward like that of `Umrah.” [an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]

13. Saying what the caller to prayer says: “Say as they say [i.e. callers to prayer], and when you finish, ask and you will be given.” [Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i] That is, supplicate when you finish repeating after the caller to prayer.

14. Fasting Ramadhan and following it with six days of Shawwal. “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, then follows it with six (days) of Shawwal, it is like fasting all the time.” [Muslim]

15. Fasting three days each month. “Whoever fasts three days each month, it s like fasting all the time.” [at-Tirmidhi]. This is supported by the verse, “Whoever comes with a good deed for him is a tenfold [reward].” One day being equal to ten days.

16. Providing food for breaking of the fast: “Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast of a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

17. Standing in prayer on Laylatul-Qadr. “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [Qur'an 97:3], that is, superior to approximately 83 years of worship.

18. Jihad. “Standing of a man in a row (saff) in the way of Allah is superior to 60 years of worship.” [al-Hakim, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] This is the superiority of standing in a row, so what about one who fights in the way of Allah for days, or months, or years?

19. Ribaat. “Whoever takes a post (at borders of Muslim lands, where an enemy may be expected) for a day and night in the way of Allah has the reward of fasting and standing in prayer for a month, and whoever dies in such a state receives a continuous reward similar to it, and is [also] rewarded with provision and saved from al-Fattaan.” [Related by Muslim] Al-Fattaan is punishment of the grave.

20. Righteous actions in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. “There are no days in which righteous deeds are dearer to Allah than these ten [days of Dhul Hijjah].” They said, “O Messenger, even jihad in the way of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who leaves with his wealth, and does not return with any of it (life or wealth).” [al-Bukhari]

21. Frequent recitation of Qur’anic soorahs. “Qul Huwa’Llahu Ahad” is equal to a third of the Qur’an and “Qul yaa ayyuha’l Kaafiroon” is equal to a fourth of the Qur’an.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani]

22. Al-Istighfaar. “Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man ad believing woman.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Hasan by Al-Albani]

23. Fulfilling people’s needs. “That I walk with my Muslim brother in [fulfilling his] need is dearer to me than being in i`tikaf in the masjid for a month.” [Ibn Abi Dunya, classed as Hasan by al-Albani]

24. Dhikr. That I say ‘Subhaan Allah, wal-Hamdu li’Llah, wa laa ilaaha ill Allahu wa’Llahu Akbar’ is dearer to me than what the sun has risen upon.” [Muslim]

“Whoever enters a market and says: ‘Laa ilaaha ill Allah waHdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul Hamdu yuHyi wa yumeetu wa huwa Hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khayr, wahuwa `alaa kulli shay’in qadeer’ [there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, He is alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, he causes life and death and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent.] Allah will write for him a million good deeds, erase a million of his bad deeds and raise him a million levels.”[at-Tirmidhi, classed as Hasan by al-Albani] There are many other words of rememberance which are rewarded abundandtly, as is well known.

“There are two blessings which many people lose: good health and free time.” [al-Bukhari]

The ‘Wahaabi’ Nemesis

Please read this article as it shows the reality of “wahaabis” and their position on terror has been consistent and does not change from place to place. (i.e., if it is haraam in the UK and US, it is haraam in Palestine)